Category: Awards

Congratulations to our hugely talented Tracey, what an incredible job! 1st place for an amazing groom, well done Tracey!

“Thank you all so so much. I get so much support here at Absolutely Animals. My grooms are going from strength to strength with all their help xxxx “ – Tracey Beach

“Super Job Tracey, so proud of you” – Heidi Anderton Owner of Absolutely Animals

Sources:

https://www.absolutelyanimals.biz/announcements/the-grooming-show-2026/

The Grooming Show – Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1916050415900561&set=pcb.1916051129233823&locale=en_GB

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1880866722752264&set=pcb.1880866806085589&locale=en_GB

https://goldenscissorawards.org/database/

We Are Proud to Announce: School of the Year 2025

We are delighted to share that our company has been awarded School of the Year 2025 at Groomphoria, one of the United Kingdom’s most respected and vibrant dog grooming events.

What is Groomphoria?

Groomphoria is a two-day dog grooming competition and industry gathering held annually in the UK. Created by Cheryl Howard, Costin Stoica and Shelley Houghton, the event brings together groomers from across the UK and abroad for:

• Professional grooming competitions across a wide range of classes
• Special awards that celebrate technical skill, creativity and excellence
• Educational seminars delivered by experienced judges and industry leaders
• A formal gala dinner and dance
• Exhibitor stalls and shopping opportunities
• Free spectator entry, helping to make the event accessible to the wider community

Groomphoria is more than a competition. It is a place where groomers come together to learn, connect and raise the standards of the profession.

Our Award: School of the Year 2025

Winning School of the Year is an exceptional honour. This award recognises training providers who demonstrate:

• High-quality education
• A supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Consistent student achievement
• A positive contribution to the dog grooming industry

We are genuinely grateful to have been recognised among so many talented and dedicated schools.

Heidi Wins the Leadership Award 2025

We are very proud to announce that Heidi Anderton, Principal of Absolutely Animals, has been honoured with the Leadership Award 2025. This award recognises exceptional guidance, commitment and influence within the grooming industry, all qualities that Heidi has demonstrated throughout her long and distinguished career.

Christine Wins Teacher of the Year 2025

We are delighted to announce that our head groomer and tutor, Christine Anderton, has been awarded Teacher of the Year 2025 at Groomphoria. This recognition reflects her exceptional skill, dedication and long-standing contribution to the grooming industry.

About Christine

Christine has been involved in the grooming world since she was three years old, when she first began helping in a salon. She entered her first grooming competitions in 2010 and has continued to build an impressive career ever since. Her passion for animals is evident in everything she does, and she is highly skilled in grooming both dogs and cats.

Christine has been part of Absolutely Animals almost from the beginning and has grown with the company year after year. Her commitment to excellence has seen her rise through the ranks of competitive grooming, ultimately earning a place on Groom Team England in 2023. She makes us incredibly proud.

Today, Christine serves as our manager, head tutor and head groomer. She is fully qualified to teach and assess, holds a full City and Guilds Level 3 qualification in dog grooming and is also qualified to teach and assess the dog walking course. Outside of work she is the proud owner of three Standard Poodles: Etti, Kendra and Aria.

Thank You, Groomphoria

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Groomphoria organisers, judges and team for recognising our work. The event continues to inspire groomers and strengthen the industry each year.

We are equally thankful to our students, whose commitment and passion made this achievement possible. This award belongs to all of you.

We look forward to returning for Groomphoria 2026.

A big congratulations to Christine Anderton and Aria at their first thrilling experience at Crufts.

The challenge was enormous, especially since there were thirteen other entrants in a formidable class.

With a stronger bonded relationship, we hope to see them both back in the ring as soon as possible.

What Does a “Formidable Class” Actually Mean?

In the world of competitive dog showing, “formidable” isn’t just a descriptive word, it’s a reflection of the depth of quality and the intensity of the competition. When a class is described as formidable, it generally refers to three key factors:

1. High Entry Numbers

At an event like Crufts, many classes have 15 or more entrants. In a class of 14, the judge is looking at a sea of “perfection.” The sheer logistics of being one of 14 dogs moving around a ring means the handler has to work twice as hard to ensure their dog catches the judge’s eye at exactly the right moment.

2. Depth of Quality

In smaller local shows, there might be a clear winner and a clear runner-up. In a “formidable” Crufts class, it is often Champions against Champions. The difference between the 1st place and a dog that isn’t “placed” can be down to a “split hair” margin-as minor as the way a dog placed its foot or a slightly distracted expression for a split second.

3. The Crufts Factor

Crufts is the pinnacle of the showing world. Because dogs must qualify to attend – usually by winning at other The Kennel Club Championship Shows -there are no “average” dogs in the ring. A formidable class means you are competing against the best of the best from across the globe.

This is the high-pressure environment Christine and Aria stepped into for their debut, making their composed performance even more impressive.

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

We are delighted to announce that Christine Anderton, a valued member of Groom Team England and our esteemed head tutor, has recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully passing the Canine Skin, Hair, and Nail Health qualification with flying colours!

Christine’s dedication to excellence and her passion for grooming truly shine through in this outstanding accomplishment. Her commitment to advancing her skills and knowledge in the field is not only inspiring but also a testament to her unwavering dedication to the well-being of our furry friends.

Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Christine! Her expertise and ongoing pursuit of excellence undoubtedly contribute to elevating the standards in our grooming community. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our team.

Here’s to many more successes and achievements on your grooming journey, Christine! 🐾🎉

With this iPet qualification under her belt Christine the knowledge to teach and assess for other interested learners wishing to learn more about canine skin, hair and nail health.

If you’re interested in this qualification, here is a quick breakdown:

This qualification is aimed at dog lovers and professionals such as dog groomers, trainers and pet retailers. It delves into the anatomy and physiology of the hair, skin and nails and considers the use of grooming products and techniques as well as the importance of nutrition to promote health. Take your knowledge of canines one step further with this course designed to give you certified knowledge of the largest organ in the body.

Crufts, the world’s largest dog show, is a platform where dog owners, breeders, and groomers showcase their pets and their grooming skills. This year, Absolutely Animals made a mark at the show by winning the Best Barnet award with a black and white poodle groomed to perfection by Christine Anderton.

Christine, the daughter of Absolutely Animals CEO Heidi Anderton, has been honing her grooming skills for years and has been an important part of the Absolutely Animals team. Her expertise and creativity were on full display at Crufts, where she groomed the black and white poodle to perfection.

The Best Barnet award is given to the groomer who demonstrates the most creative, stylish, and perfectly executed grooming of a dog’s head, neck, and ears. Christine’s grooming skills were unparalleled, as she created a perfectly symmetrical and beautifully styled groom on the poodle.

The grooming process started with a thorough wash and dry, followed by the application of conditioning products to keep the coat healthy and shiny. Christine then used her expert skills to trim and shape the coat around the dog’s head and ears, carefully blending the black and white fur to create a beautiful and unique look.

The judges were impressed by Christine’s attention to detail, her creativity, and her skillful execution of the grooming. The poodle’s beautiful black and white coat, expertly styled by Christine, stood out from the rest and secured the Best Barnet award for Absolutely Animals.

We are thrilled with this win and proud of Christine’s expertise and passion for grooming. If you are looking for pet grooming services that combine creativity and expertise, come to Absolutely Animals. Our team of professional groomers, including Christine herself, is dedicated to providing the highest quality pet care services to help your furry friend look and feel their best.